Silvasista’s strong performance in the Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington has opened discussions about her running in the South Australian Derby.
The Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) heads to Morphettville next Saturday, with the Group 3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m) available the week following at the same location.
After her 2200m score at Donald on April 14, Silvasista took the 2800m extension in stride on Saturday.
Aboard for Luke Currie, Silvasista ($3.70) crossed the line 3-½ lengths clear of Finance Merchant ($16), as Chillies ($18) ended up three-quarters-of-a-length behind in third.
This marked back-to-back wins for Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the Melbourne Cup trainers, with Mr Blunt victorious earlier in the WGCDR Ian Bayles DFC (1800m).
“She’s a lovely filly but we weren’t sure whether she would stay on her pedigree being by Toronado,” Calvin McEvoy said.
“She put up a great run behind Salty Pearl over a mile and then went to Adelaide and disappointed us.
“We brought her back and brought her back in class and she won over 2200 metres at Donald and sort of looked near the end of it, but we wanted to test her here over the distance with a look to the 2500-metre fillies race in a couple of weeks.
“The way she won, it was a beautiful ride from Luke, and it could not have worked out any better.
“I’m thrilled for the team at Ballarat. They’ve sent two horses to the races today and they’ve both won at Flemington.”
The filly had been narrowly beaten by Salty Pearl at Caulfield, then struggled in an Adelaide stakes late last month.
Even with her Donald victory at 2200m, doubts lingered over her staying ability.
Currie was instructed to prioritize early relaxation for Silvasista, according to McEvoy.
“The only thing we said to Luke was she was on trial at the distance, so get her to switch off as good as you can and be the last to challenge,” McEvoy said.
“He wasn’t the last to challenge as she was travelling so well and he couldn’t have executed it any better.
“She’s really continued to go through the grades and today was a big test.
“It’s a big race to win at Flemington and we’re very proud to win it.”
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